College Football 2008 Conference Preview: Big 12

Look for the Big 12 to be one of the top conferences in the nation.

Predicted Order of Finish:

North:
1. Missouri
The Tigers are loaded with 16 returning starters. Heisman candidate Chase Daniel is back at QB along with WR Jeremy Maclin, and TE Chase Coffman on offense. The defense should be superb and dominant as 10 starters return. Look for the secondary to be wheeling and dealing lead by ball-hawk DB Will Moore.

2. Kansas
KU surprised everybody after a big Orange Bowl win over Virginia Tech. QB Todd Reesing is back after proving the doubters wrong about his size. With 16 starters back there's no reason not to believe the Jayhawks won't compete for another national title. The WR unit will be strong with both of their leading WRs back. The defense should be stellar as both the D-Line and LB units are strong, they just need to improve the secondary after losing CB Aquib Talib.

3. Nebraska
I think the Huskers will be a little improved with new head coach Bo Pelini. Joe Ganz is a capable QB to help get the Huskers back on their feet. Marlon Lucky returns as RB and is one of the top RB in the Big 12. Four linemen return up-front. The defense should be interesting this season. The defensive front returns it's top 8, but they are very inexperienced at LB and in the secondary.

4. Colorado
Cody Hawkins put up some pretty good numbers last season but must decrease his INTs. Look for frosh RB Darrell Scott to carry the load. The Buffs have plenty of WRs, which are a vital part of their offense. The D-Line will be solid with both George Hypolite and Brandon Nicolas back.

5. Kansas State
KSU has been mediocre at best ever since winning the Big XII Championship back in 2003. QB Josh Freeman set a school record with 3,353 passing yards last season. He completed 63.3 percent of his passes with 18 touchdowns. The rest of the offense may struggle with inexperience and lack of depth at RB and WR, plus mediocre play at O-Line.

6. Iowa St.
ISU was horrendous last season and I doubt they will be much better. QB is a big question mark. RB Alex Robinson may be the lone bright spot on O. The defense lacked production in '07, expect the same in '08.

South:
1. Oklahoma
OU is no doubt one of the best teams in the country, but they do have a few question marks. After an amazing freshman season, QB Sam Bradford is back and looking for more. DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown are a phenomenal RB duo. The Sooners do not have a clear go-to WR but Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson should step up. The O & D Lines are both arguably the best in the country, this is what separates OU from a lot of teams. They may lack depth at LB and experience in the secondary, but up-front is what is going to get it done for OU.

2. Texas Tech
If Tech doesn't live up to it's 2008 hype, they may never win the Big 12 or make a BCS Bowl. This could be their year to wreck havoc in the Big 12. The Graham Harrell to Michael Crabtree connection might be the best in the country. Crabtree is easily the best WR out there. There's no doubt the offense can put up points and win them games, but they need the defense to step up and get them over the top. They have the experience, but it's just a matter of execution. I think they'll be fine.

3. Texas
Will this be a rebuilding year for Mack Brown and Co.? Or will they reload and use some of their young talent to their advantage? QB Colt McCoy is a good start after losing 5 key starters on offense. The O-Line could be a big key as well, lead by OT Cedric Dockery, a future NFL star. The defense may slow down the Horns after losing 7 starters though.

4. Oklahoma St.
The Offense should put up some points with it's spread attack. QB Zac Robinson established the single-season school record for total offense. The Cowboys have 3 veteran backs which should help after losing starter Dantell Savage. Soph. Dez Bryant is a stud at WR and could be All-Big 12 this season. The 'Boys' might have the best offensive line behind Oklahoma and Texas. They are pretty deep there which is another reason they could be a dangerous team. The front 7 need to find some replacements on D, but look for the secondary to be pretty good with 3 returners there.

5. Texas A&M
The offense has the potential to be very good, as long as they all stay healthy. This includes QB Stephen McGee and RBs Javorskie Lane and Mike Goodson. If the offensive line can produce, the Aggies could go a long way. The defense is average at best but they do have some depth to help fill some holes.

6. Baylor
Not much at QB with no depth and plenty of problems. The only positive on offense is 7 returning starters. Expect the defense to be pretty bad again with not much play makers around. Baylor will continue to be just a baseball school.

Big 12 Championship:
Missouri over Oklahoma

Offensive Player of the Year:
Chase Daniel, QB- Missouri

Defensive Player of the Year:
Will Moore, FS- Missouri

Freshman of the Year:
Darrell Scott, RB- Colorado

Coach of the Year:
Mike Leach- Texas Tech

Top 3 Games:
Texas at Oklahoma- Oct. 11

Texas at Texas Tech- Nov. 1

Texas Tech at Oklahoma- Nov. 22

BCS Bowl Thoughts

The BCS Bowl Matchups were announced today and I would just like to give some insight and thoughts about it.

BCS National Title Game

The title game is LSU vs. Ohio St. This is who I predicted it was going to be after yesterdays games. Ohio St. is the most deserving, yes they don't have the toughest schedule out there but from watching them this year they are a great team. Their offense is pretty explosive and they have one of the best defenses in the country. I really think LSU deserves it as well, they played a very tough schedule and won their conference. They had big wins over Virginia Tech, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, and South Carolina.

This is a perfect opportunity for OSU to avenge their BCS Title loss to Florida last year. All they're going to hear from now till the game is how they won't be able to match up with LSU and their speed. I think because of their loss last year, the Buckeyes will be very prepared for LSU come January 7.

Hawaii vs. Georgia

First off, I am glad to see Georgia in this game, they didn't deserve to play in the title game. I've said it before and I'll say it again, you don't win your conference championship then you don't deserve to play for a national championship, and when you have a system like the BCS then that's how it should be. A second place team shouldn't be playing for first place ever, period.

As for Hawaii I am glad to see them in this game. Another opportunity to see a mid-major go against one of the BCS Boys in Georgia. Hopefully Hawaii can pull it out like Boise St. did last year.

Kansas or Missouri?
Another problem I have here is Kansas getting in over Missouri. First of all Mizzou beat the Jayhawks head to head. Yes, Kansas has one loss but their strength of schedule is 109th (119 total) and Missouri is 25th. Missouri lost only twice and both times to Oklahoma. I guess the BCS is praising wins over Florida International, SE Louisiana, and Toledo, compared to wins over Illinois, Ole Miss, and Western Michigan.

What are your thoughts on the BCS Bowl Matchups?

College Football Weekend Preview

LSU at Kentucky
We possibly have an upset alert here. With the way this season has been you can no longer look past anyone. Kentucky has the offense to stay with LSU. Andre Woodson and Co. will need to bring their best game so far if they want any piece of the Tigers.

The Pick: LSU

Texas A&M at Texas Tech
The two Texas rivals will square in what is basically an elimination game for a Big XII Title berth. Stephen McGee looks to lead A&M with his arm and legs, while the Red Raiders' high-powered offense will try to make the Aggies keep with the tempo.

The Pick: Texas Tech

Washington at Arizona St.

Washington looks to be Arizona St.'s first "true" test. The Huskies are looking to bust out of their 3 game losing streak.

The Pick: Arizona St.

Wisconsin at Penn St.
A win here would be pretty big for both teams. Wisconsin was finally taken down by upstart Illinois and Penn St. has struggled recently. Loser will most likely be eliminated from Rose Bowl contention.

The Pick: Wisconsin

Auburn at Arkansas
Pivotal SEC match up this week. If any of these two teams want a piece of LSU for the SEC West Title, this is a must win. Darren McFadden looks to continue to be the Heisman favorite and Auburn looks to show the Florida win was no fluke.

The Pick: Arkansas

Upset of the Week
Sorry, no upset for this week.

D-1AA (FCS) Game of the Week
Southern Illinois at Northern Iowa
This may as well be the Gateway Conference Championship Game. This is a big match up between the 3rd and 7th ranked FCS teams. Two electrifying QBs will go at it in S.Ill's Nick Hill and N.IA's Eric Sanders.

The Pick: Southern Illinois

Game of the Week
Missouri at Oklahoma
We may have the Big XII Championship preview on our hands here. Mizzou proved they're one of the elite Big XII teams after pummeling Nebraska and a win here would only propel a potential magic season even more. I expect this FSN game, which should be on ABC or ESPN, to be down to the wire.

The Pick: Oklahoma

College Football 2007 Conference Preview: Big XII

The Big XII has been down in recent years but still has it's perennial powers in Texas and Oklahoma, also Nebraska is starting to get back to its old self. The league may be down on talent but it is as competitive as any other conference in the land.

Predicted Order of Finish
North
1. Nebraska
The Huskers will face a tough non-conference schedule facing USC and Wake Forest and tough in-conference road games against Missouri and Texas. They do lose QB Zac Taylor but transfer Sam Keller should be a good replacement for him. Keller has great arm strength and should put up good numbers under Bill Callahan's offense. They only return 11 starters overall, 5 on the defensive side, but they have enough depth and talent to overcome that and win the weaker division of the conference.

2. Missouri
The Tigers' offense should be decent with 8 starters back that includes QB Chase Daniel, (who I believe is one of the best QB's in the Big 12), two great tight ends in Chase Coffman and Martin Rucker, and RB Tony Temple who rushed for 1,063 yards in '06 and is the top returning rusher in the Big 12. The defense will need some tweaking with just 5 starters returning from that unit.

3. Kansas St.

KSU does return QB Josh Freeman, but he must show that he can be a little more consistent this season in order for the Wildcats to make some noise. The Wildcats fate will most likely lie on his shoulders. The O-line must also find some consistency along with depth as well. They do return great pass-catchers in Jordy Nelson and Daniel Gonzalez, which will help. The Cats do return more than half of the defense but have some holes to fill at LB. But the defensive front returns stud DE's Ian Campbell and Rob Jackson. The secondary has the most experience back than any other unit with 5 significant players with starting experience.

4. Colorado
The Buffs do have some experience to work with, 16 return overall. The biggest need is at QB where it's between Cody Hawkins and transfer Nick Nelson. Hawkins looks to be the leading candidate being the coaches son. The defense was a lot better than the offense last season and with 7 starters back it's looking a little brighter for CU. They'll need players to step up on the defensive front, but they'll be pretty strong with some good experience back at LB. The secondary lost 3 starters but they still have All-Big 12 CB Terrence Wheatley who is back along with some other talent as well.

5. Kansas
KU does indeed have 14 starters back, but experience doesn't always guarantee anything. They need to find a QB after losing Adam Barmann to graduation. They also have big holes to fill on the offensive and defensive lines. They do have a stud corner returning in Aquib Talib. Don't be surprised if sees time at WR as well.

6. Iowa St.
ISU does return a very athletic and talented QB in Bret Meyers, one of the best QB's in the conference, but he was sacked an average of 3 times per game last season; which means they'll need to improve on the offensive line, especially after losing 4 starters from '06. The defense will need to improve as well after allowing more yards than any other Big 12 team in '06.

South
1. Texas
The Longhorns will have a very explosive offense with the return of QB Colt McCoy, WR's Limas Sweed and Billy Pittman, and RB Jamaal Charles. Charles is an explosive back and will see more carries this season. The defense should be solid again with tons of talent and depth all over the field. But the biggest concern will be the secondary with only S Marcus Griffin returning.

2. Oklahoma
I would probably have OU winning the south but they still need to find a QB to fill in for the loss of Paul Thompson. But then again this is Bob Stoops and his Oklahoma Sooners I am talking about. Joey Halzle looks to be the projected starter for the season opener vs. North Texas. Keith Nichol could also make a fight for the starting position as well, but Halzle looks to be the favorite. They also need to replace Adrian Peterson, but RB Allen Patrick returns and should be one of the premier backs in the conference. Despite losing defensive stud Rufus Alexander, OU's defense will once again be far from a let down. They return 6 starters from that side of the ball and have plenty of talent everywhere.

3. Texas A&M
The Aggies have a chance to compete with Texas and OU once again for the Big 12 South Title, but their semi-tough schedule could be holding them back. They will visit Miami (FLA.), rival Texas Tech, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Missouri and will play Oklahoma St., and Texas at home. They should have a pretty solid offense with 9 starters back including QB Stephen McGee, who was one of four QB's last season to pass for at least 2,000 yards and rush for at least 500. A&M also returns two stud RB's Jorvorkie Lane and Mike Goodson.

4. Oklahoma St.
They return 15 starters overall with several key players back in QB Bobby Reid, WR Adarius Bowman, and LB Chris Collins. The defense needs to improve in order to compete with Texas, OU, or even A&M, but they do return 7 starters on that side of the ball.

5. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders never have a problem scoring on offense, QB Graham Harrell returns who put up 4,555 yards and 38 TDs last season. The defense has some holes to fill, they gave up 23.8 ppg in '06. They can win shootouts with their defense, but it would make things a whole lot easier if their defense could make some stops.

6. Baylor
Baylor will struggle once again with many holes to fill on the offensive side. They do have a starting QB returning in Michael Machen. But they need to find some depth at RB where they struggled dramatically last season, ranking last in the nation in yards per game.

Big XII Championship:
Texas over Nebraska

Offensive Player of the Year:
Colt McCoy, QB- Texas

Defensive Player of the Year:
Frank Okam, DT- Texas

Freshman of the Year:
Tray Allan, G- Texas

Coach of the Year:
Bill Callahan- Nebraska

Games to Watch:
Nebraska at Texas- Oct. 27

Oklahoma vs. Texas at Dallas- Oct. 6

Oklahoma at Texas A&M- Nov. 3

Texas at Texas A&M- Nov. 23

Texas A&M at Nebraska- Oct. 20